First off, I want to say I will not be breaking down this series into the big matchups like KG v. Sheed and then adding those up for a tally to figure out who will win.  I think it is more useful to look at what we have seen from these teams in the playoffs already and determine from there who will be the winner.

Home Court: Has obviously been huge for the Celtics, who going into this matchup have still not won a road game.  With the best record in the NBA this season, they will have 4 of the 7 games at home in this series which could be the deciding factor if they continue their winning ways at home.

However, the other side of the coin is that the Celtics have not won away, and if the veteran Pistons can steal one from them, will Boston be able to change their winless 0-6 playoff road record and take the series?

Fatigue: Is it just me, or are Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen out of juice? Neither has recently had a great game the way they are expected to with Ray Allen especially quiet.

I am finding a big parallel to the Pistons in the 2005-2006 season where they set a record for franchise wins. That group was talented enough to win the title yet played so hard for those wins that they lost their energy by playoff time where they almost lost to a Cavaliers team they were better than and then to the Miami Heat, who should have been beatable.

With all the time the Big Three in Boston have spent on the floor, maybe they have lost that energy needed to compete at their highest possible level in the playoffs?  The Hawks were simply not talented enough to beat them and the Cavaliers had to rely too heavily on Lebron to win games for them.

After going two straight seven game series, I would expect that Boston's players might be tired after only getting a day's rest before playing Game 1 of the Eastern Finals. Who knows, maybe Ray Allen was shooting less to save up his energy for these next two series.

Depth: The whole point of the Pistons work in the offseason was to acquire depth to not lose much in terms of playing quality when the starters take a rest. Rodney Stuckey has been huge for a rookie backup taking care of the ball well, setting up the offense, and providing some scoring when he can. Jason Maxiell has become a much better basketball player that is more of a scoring threat and can play anyone strong on defense.

The greatest thing about depth that I do not think gets mentioned often enough is what it allows you to do fouling wise. The Pistons have a lot of fouls to use under the basket especially because they have a number of subs that can defend almost equal to the starters, although losing some of the offense when Rasheed Wallace is off the floor.

Boston has some depth as well with James Posey being an important sub, and last game's late hero P.J. Brown.  Eddie House also can rovided some spark like he did in Game 7 with a strong hustle play. However, I just don't see the bench being as deep as Detroit's.

The problem with this comes if Detroit tries to bully a player like Rajon Rondo into committing fouls, who hasn't shown he can match up with Chauncey Billups.

Consistency: I am not expecting either of these teams to make a sudden turn around in the way they have been playing. I'm not expecting Ray Allen to instantly be lights out shooting again or Detroit to start rebounding much better.

Rasheed Wallace will continue to be a solid defensive presence that is playing much smarter in the way he uses his fouls and gets blocks. He will also be an on and off shooter who will probably come up huge in some games and be quiet in others.  His defense on Garnett will be important.

Paul Pierce should have a more difficult time with Tayshaun Prince guarding him while continuing to score consistently. I wouldn't expect him to put up another 40 point showing against the Pistons, however.

Overall: The Pistons are consistently playing good but not great basketball while the Celtics keep going from hometown heroes to road chumps. Boston should win this series if all of the Big Three can get going in each game. Detroit is probably a better team as a whole however, so expect the Pistons to win if the Boston All Stars can't maintain consistent scoring.

Prediction: I wouldn't be surprised if Boston loses Game 1 due to fatigue, and Detroit stealing home court advantage wraps up the series in six games.

Look forward to a great match up between the two best teams in the Eastern Conference this year.

So the real hockey season has started, time when it really matters, the playoffs.  Now my question, who cares?  Does anyone really care about hockey anymore?......well?  I'm waiting.

Nah, just kidding I know some people care about hockey; I mean I'm not a die hard fan but I like the sport. I enjoy watching my hometown Red Wings play and the playoffs are the only thing that get my adrenaline really pumping watching hockey.  Also, sadly, in hockey it is the only time of year that I learn the names of players on a different team.  I mean yes I know some of the stars but really the all important "bit part" players in hockey I really don't get to know their names until playoff season.

I don't get hockey's unpopularity at all.  Have you seen a big game?  It's the best!  There's almost always a chance of scoring a goal and it's incredibly unpredictable.  Who knows when the next "pass back to the goalie who skated to the bench and accidentally scored on his own net" is going to happen, or when a big check is going to be put on and cause a fight?  At any moment you, the viewer, may be left in awe wondering how the hell that guy could have just done that?  I mean there's also just watching the crowd go crazy I think that adds to it with their pom poms or whatever it happens to be.

I mean I have my fond memories watching the Wings.  I saw them get to the finals for the first time in ages, only to be defeated in 4 games.  I must have been only 8 years old or so at the time, but I remember that disappointment.  I also remember watching the Wings two years in a row hold the Stanley Cup over their heads, and remember the sweet victory of defeating our new rival Colorado Avalanche.  I remember in high school having a hockey party with an air horn ready to blow every time the Wings scored a goal (by the way that was the game where they embarrassed Roy with 7 goals, good times).  I also remember the years being disappointed, having what looked like the best team and falling short of the mark.

But it was all fun, it all gives me a rush of excitement watching the goals, the checks, the great saves, and the intensity.  So why isn't it popular?  I mean I can't tell you the last time I watched another two professional hockey teams play one another in the regular season.  Maybe five years ago on a random night when nothing else was on and I flipped past the Canadian channel?  Why is that?  I've seen NFL games plenty of times from teams that are not from my home town (and not only because the Detroit Lions are awful!) but hockey is not the same.

Is it the sport connecting with people?  Maybe a little.  Not everyone can say they've played hockey while most can say they've thrown around a football or played basketball.  It is not necessarily accessible for everyone to play.  However, the sport is definitely fun to watch having a mix of finesse and roughness where you can see a "pretty" goal one minute and the next see two guys knocking each other's teeth out.

Is it the personalities from hockey missing?  I would say no because there are some GREAT people to look up to and admire in the NHL.  And also some villains, I will not mention names in case they want to come find me, but think of the last few guys you have heard about delivering an unsafe and illegal check or high stick that sidelined a player for a long time.  Yeah, those guys.

Is it the marketing?  Probably....I mean they don't show hockey on ESPN.  That is a mistake.  Pay ESPN if you have to, but get your sport on the television station that a lot of men (and some women, do not worry ladies I never forget you in my mind) go looking for SOME sport to watch, and they may happen to enjoy seeing hockey.

I mean there are tons of possibilities out there why hockey is not so much of a major American sport, but I think it still could be.  I wish other people shared my excitements watching the game, even if it were only in the playoffs like those people pretending to be real hockey fans.....oh, wait.

Alright, first off this sucks.  This blog business is all about timing.  I had a lot of things I wanted to say about the bowl games, Michigan's surprising triumph over Florida, Hawaii getting blown out by (just my opinion) should have been national champion Georgia, LSU outplaying but not out-athleticking? Ohio State, wondering who really was the best team in the nation last year when they were healthy....my guess USC.

Anywho, I was busy at the time this all happened and didn't have time to write my blog (sad face).  Now, who cares about last season's college football?  Its not even close to the start of next season and people aren't gonna care that much right now, other stuff is relevant.

Oh, and the Super Bowl was less than a week ago, and already everything that needed to be said was said.  Quick comment, the arrogance of the Pats thinking that going for it on 4th and 13 was a better choice than trying to kick a 49 yard field goal may have hurt badly.  Most of the stuff was already put out there by you, my fellow bloggers.  Asante Samuel should have intercepted that ball and ended the game.  K I'm done.

And I predicted Michigan's loss to Appalachian State along with my dad.  This is before I knew no division two team has ever beaten a division one team.  All I heard was Michigan facing spread offense, and one of the first three games of the season under Lloyd Carr, and the fact that they didn't lose one of the first three the previous year.  Would not have predicted it with more knowledge.

So I decided I'm making predictions about next year when most people don't care but at least not be late in doing so.  Oh but I'm saying things that are going to be sort of out there and give me crap about but we'll see who is right next year.  Here we go....

Hawaii no matter how great of a season they have will not make a major bowl next year, nor any other team from a non major conference.

Notre Dame will win eight regular season games next year and lose in their bowl game.

Georgia will win the SEC.

USC will win the Pac 10 and play in the national championship game.

Oklahoma will win the Big Twelve and play in the national championship game.

Tim Tebow will not win the Heisman this year.

Ohio State will win the Big Ten.

Do I care about predicting anything else?  Probably but I can't think of it right now.  You may now flame me and argue.  Thanks for reading!

Here we go with my take on the bowl games I found important this year or just feel like mentioning (pre January 1st)....let me apologize right now that this article will probably be biased on regional or somewhat ignorant views on which games, teams, and people are important.  2008 games, coming up, next article, if you care, comma.

Utah 35-Navy 32 and Purdue 51-Central Michigan 48

These games only deserve mentioning because they were before the big games and reminded me why college football is so fun.  All out offense of Purdue and CMU was exciting.

Brigham Young 17-UCLA 16

Brigham Young?  Where did you come from?  I looked at the top 25 rankings at the end of the regular season and I recognized all the teams then I say them and was like really?  Congrats to winning the bowl game over UCLA, though I still have no idea who you are.  My bad.  Oh and UCLA-good luck with the new coach.

Texas 52-Arizona State 34

Just when I thought the Pac 10 balance of power had maybe shifted a little to include ASU.  Not yet.  This was just a case of being outmatched.  ASU just couldn't bring it close.  Texas nice rebound from losing to A&M.  Looking good.

Boston College 24-Michigan State 21

BC definitely didn't look like they were national championship caliber.  Matt Ryan looked pretty dang good though.  Michigan State should have won this game if not for a fairly awful game by Brian Hoyer.  I thought MSU would not even be in it without Jonal Saint-Dic.  Man that guy is scary good.  Beware that MSU rushing game if they get some more talent around them.  But knowing Michigan State, they'll choke anyways.

Mississippi State 10-UCF 3

I am all for good defense.  But come on, 13 points total in a bowl game?  I only watched this to see if Kevin Smith would unjustly beat Barry Sanders single season yardage record.  I understand that the stats in the bowl games back in the day were not included in the record books, but why when you decide to make the bowl stats count do you not adjust the old records like Sanders rushing records to include his bowl game yardage?  Ugh.  Oh well.

Penn State 24-Texas A&M 17

I think Penn State should have been better this season.  They have some star linebackers and some talented offensive players.  Joe Pa wins another bowl game.  I feel like every year I can count on Penn State to win their bowl no matter who they face.  Texas A&M, valiant effort, not so good season going 7-6.  You did beat Texas though.

California 42-Air Force 36

I was pulling for Air Force.  Didn't get to watch this one, but I like it when the military schools do well in modern football.  Am I imagining that California was ranked second in the nation this year?  I know top five for sure.  No way!  Well at least you won your bowl game I guess.

Oregon 56-South Florida 21

Good for Oregon.  I have no doubt in my mind that Oregon is in the national championship game if Dennis Dixon never gets hurt.  But injuries are the name of the game.  If we talked about even earlier, USC's probably in the big game if injuries were not a factor.  Anyways Oregon pulled through and showed South Florida just was not as good.

Kentucky 35-Florida State 28

Andre Woodson has a pretty looking throw.  I do no't know what it is about it, but he just looks so calm throwing the ball.  Not always knows when to throw it away but he is still a great QB.  Did Florida State really have thirty four players out?  Geez.  They played hard and inspired.  Team could not get over Kentucky.

Auburn 23-Clemson 20

I expected this to be a fight.  Was not disappointed.  Though I was more busy checking on Dick Clark, I kept checking the score of this one.  Not a relaxing way to spend New Year's Eve for the players.

Post January 1st wrap up coming soon.

It all started over a year ago.  Let's go back to early November 12, 2006 in the NCAA football season to get a history lesson.  Ohio State, led by offensive stars Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., Antonio Pittman, and Anthony Gonzalez, had been crushing teams all season, scoring an average of over 30 points a game while its defense was holding teams to an intimidating average of 10 points a game.  Furthermore, the preseason number one Buckeyes proved themselves in a gigantic early season clash with the number two ranked Texas Longhorns.  After soundly defeating them, the best team in college football was clearly established.

However, their hated rivals to the north, Michigan, were having quite a season of their own.  After being plagued in recent years by early season struggles, the Wolverines came out in 2006 with the nation's number one rushing defensive and a potent offense under stars Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Steve Breaston, Mario Manningham, and Adrian Arrington with blocking provided by All American Jake Long.  After some tough wins against Iowa and Penn State and no losses, Michigan was the number two team in the country, behind the Buckeyes, going into that game.

In arguably the number one rivalry in all of sports, number one 11-0 Ohio State was about to face number two 11-0 Michigan in the "Game of the Century" as some called it, to determine the Big Ten Championship, and a spot in the national championship game.  The game lived up to the hype, providing many exciting moments and plenty of scoring.  The Buckeyes outlasted the Wolverines 42-39 to earn their spot in the national championship, while Michigan was bound for the Rose Bowl, although they almost got their rematch with the Buckeyes with a USC loss in their last game.

A month and a half later, USC and Michigan squared off in the Rose Bowl.  Many predicted Michigan would win the game, but by the end of the first half, it was unclear who would emerge victorious.  Then USC decided to constantly throw the ball.  The Trojans picked apart Michigan's secondary in the third quarter, while Michigan's offensive line, which had protected so well throughout the season, let quarterback Chad Henne get continuously pressured.  USC won the game 32-18, in a game many believed would give next year's preseason number one team, and ending the year in disappointment for the Wolverines.

A number of days later, the Ohio State Buckeyes faced off against the Florida Gators in the national championship game.  Some predicted the game would be a blowout, with the possibility of a 42-14 Ohio State win.  While that seemed certainly possible after the opening kickoff when Ted Ginn scored a touchdown on the return, it was almost all Florida from then on.  The Gators offense moved the ball with relative ease against the Bucks, and the offensive line of Ohio State, similar to Michigan, collapsed and never allowed Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith to establish any rhythm.  Florida ironically won the game 41-14, in a near reversal of the predicted score for an OSU win.

These results were stunning.  Going into the bowl games, The Big Ten held 3 of the top 5 spots in the rankings (Wisconsin being the other team).  Ohio State and Michigan lost soundly and people began to be convinced at just how much better the SEC and Pac 10 are compared to the Big Ten.  With the two elite Big Ten teams of the year going down to teams in embarrassing defeats, the conference lost some standing in the eyes of the nation.

However, the 2007 preseason ranked Michigan, with its core returning offensive players, the #5 team in the country, along with (supposed to be) offensively depleted Ohio State at #11, and Penn State at #17. 

Quickly, the good standing of the Big Ten turned sour.  It started with the shocking loss of Michigan to Appalachian State, a division AA school.  Minnesota has been pathetic this season, losing 11 of its 12 games, including losses to Bowling Green, Florida Atlantic, and North Dakota State.  Iowa has been less than impressive losing to Iowa State and Western.  While Purdue, Michigan State, and Indiana all are 7-5 and headed for bowl games, in conference play they are each 3-5.  Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin have overall good records, yet in a down year for the Big Ten, these teams must be considered mediocre.

Not all has been terrible.  Illinois, annual bottom feeders of the Big Ten, are going to the Rose Bowl this year with a 9-3 record under head coach Ron Zook and QB Juice Williams.  And Ohio State, once again, will be going to the national championship game.

The big (Ten) problem is the fallout if these teams get trounced, especially Ohio State.  I am one of the people who do believe Ohio State has earned their spot this year.  They are 11-1 in a major conference, winning their last game of the year, which no other team can say.  Of course, Hawaii is an undefeated 12-0, but their weak schedule keeps them away from the title game.

If Ohio State gets blown out by LSU in the national championship game, do not expect them to get the benefit of the doubt in the future.  If next year, Ohio State is in a close race for second place in the BCS (say again an 11-2 SEC Champion and an 11-1 Ohio State), you will not see the Buckeyes in the big show.  Voters will remember how they were tricked in the past into thinking OSU is the best team in the country and will keep them out. 

Expect the lack of respect for the Big Ten by the human voters to get much worse next year if the conference does extra poorly in the bowl games this year, which is a definite possibility.  Here's a list of the matchups for the Big Ten:

Purdue vs. Central Michigan

Michigan State vs. Boston College

Penn State vs. Texas A&M

Indiana vs. Oklahoma State

Wisconsin vs. Tennessee

Michigan vs. Florida

Illinois vs. USC

Ohio State vs. LSU

Based on this list, it's easily possible that the Big Ten could go 1-7 in bowl games.  In fact, the only game I would consider the conference a favorite in is the Purdue Central Michigan game.  The three January 1st bowls featuring Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan may all be blowouts.  Who knows what to expect on the January 7th national championship game.

For all the Big Ten fans in the world, hope that this crazy year of upsets continues.

Too bad come January 1st, it's a brand new year...